Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, Pioneer and AIC do. I have just used them in a story that I would love to see happen. I am not doing this for money, and definitely not looking for a lawsuit as I am barely making ends meet as it is. I hope you enjoy the story and as a side note, This story takes place using the OVA characters Tenchi Muyo: No need to be a Ghost, Declared Dead to Jurai Ryoko then turned to her mother, "how soon do you think you can have his body ready?" "If all goes well in a week or two. But you must understand I can only do a little at a time, if I leave him outside the stasis for too long it can cause permanent damage to his body." Ryoko thought about it and thought that it would be good to take it slow no matter how much she wanted to hold him again, this time with her real arms. As Washu began reconstruction on Tenchi's body Ryoko went back to a bed so that she could at least talk to him again in her astral form. In that form only she could see and talk to him which made her feel special. She spent as much time as possible with him. In this form she spent hours on end talking to him and just enjoying his presence. It was during this time that others began to notice that she was changing. It was easy to tell that this uninterrupted closeness with him was changing her dramatically. Ayeka had approached Washu concerned about them, but she was not sure how to bring up the question that was buried in her mind. Washu though could tell something was bothering the princess but was unable to voice it so Washu told her, "If you are worried about Ryoko and Tenchi doing something when no one can stop them you can put your mind at ease. In their astral forms they have no genitalia." Ayeka looked confused till Washu bowed her head and said again, "they don't have, well." She thought of a polite way then said to her. "Look, in his astral form he does not have the equipment nor does she to engage in any sexual activities." She seamed relieved and shocked at herself that she would even think of that right now. Even without a body Tenchi was able to get Ryoko to change. No one was sure how he did it, but Tenchi had convinced Ryoko to go out to the carrot field and as he held her gem he instructed her how to pull the carrots which she did, and even enjoyed doing. Ryo-Ohki liked the fact that she still had someone to get carrots for her. Tenchi's body was still several days away from being ready when they received a surprise visit from the Emperor and his two wives. Washu had been so busy working trying to restore his body that she had completely missed their approach. As the ship descended the sound of the craft was unmistakable. So Sasami and Ayeka rushed out to the dock to greet them. Ryoko stayed in the lab with Washu and Tenchi, while Noboyuki was at work. When Tenchi's grandfather herd it he left his shrine to greet them. Just as soon as Lady Misaki was on the ground she was hugging Ayeka and Sasami like she had not seen them in years. Their father just remained silent as the display continued. Lady Funaho left them after saying her hello's to visit Yosho. No one was quite sure how to tell the Emperor and his wives what had happened to Tenchi. However, the Emperor did not allow them time to think long enough about what to say. "Where is this boy? That Tenchi, that has corrupted you two?" Ayeka spoke first, "He has not corrupted us." "Where is he?" He gave her a look that made her step back. Sasami jumped in "He's, he's um... " "Well? Where is he? And what could be more important that greeting us?" He was as angry with him for not being here just as he was angry that he existed in the first place. While Ayeka and Sasami tried to think of an excuse it was Katsuhito that provided it. "Father, if you must know we had his funeral the other day." All eyes turned to him. "It seams as though he met with an unfortunate accident and by the time any of us got to him it was to late. Washu tried what she could but if you would like I can take you to his grave." Azusa turned to Ayeka, "Is this true? Is he indeed dead?" Ayeka looked down and thought about it, and she then looked up, "yes father. His grave lies beside that of his mother." Ayeka knew it was not wholly the truth as they were indeed going to bury him there when it was discovered that he was alive. He looked at her suspiciously but they took him to go see the grave. The hole was now covered in and covered with flowers. The Emperor at first did not believe it, but he accepted it. Upon returning to the house the Emperor made another announcement. "Ayeka, Sasami. Since this boy is now gone there is no reason for you to stay here. I would like for you to accompany us back to Jurai." Both looked saddened and could not think of a way out of this. Azusa turned to Yosho, "Funaho tells me that you would prefer to die here than return to Jurai, is that true?" He looked at this father in the eyes, "my wife, and my daughter are buried here. They were the most important things to me and now with this addition I cannot leave them. I will spend the rest of my life here with them." A moment of compassion crossed the Emperors' face as he heard his son's plea to remain. After a stern look from Funaho and Misaki he relented. At least that boy would not get his throne. "Very well, you may stay here. But Ayeka and Sasami are to return with us." The girls looked down, as they could not think of a reason to stay. They knew their father did not like Tenchi and they did not want to tell him what had really happened. If they did then Yosho would be guilty of lying directly to the Emperor. Just when they thought that they were doomed another voice spoke up. "Ayeka, what about Ryo-Oul?" Ayeka looked over at Funaho and remembered that he was just a sapling. She said a silent thank you to her for bringing that up. "Ryo-Oul is currently a sapling and cannot be moved yet. Since we were joined I need to be here because of our bond." It was definitely a long shot but it was true, she had to stay here with Ryo-Oul. Sasami was a different story completely. But it was Lady Misaki that took care of that detail. "My Sasami! You have not been away from your sister before so I am not going to separate you now when she has lost both her ship and Tenchi." Sasami and Ayeka looked at her with huge grins and after one final large hug of everyone present the three nobles returned to their ship. Katsuhito shooed the girls inside quickly. Once inside he told them, "Lady Funaho knows that Tenchi may still live. But she will not say anything about it." The two princesses' were surprised to say the least. "We have bought you some time, but unfortunately they will be back for you. It is up to you to decide your fates." With that he turned and headed for the door again. "Brother! Were you serious? Do you plan to die here?" Ayeka was on the brink of tears as she asked him this. As he opened the door he replied, "Yes. Yes Ayeka, I do plan to stay here and be buried next to my family. One day you too will understand what I feel." He walked out the door and returned to his shrine. Ayeka and Sasami returned to the Lab where they informed Washu and Ryoko about what had happened. Both were not very surprised to find that no one inquired about them, but then again the Juraian's had never liked Ryoko or Washu very much. All four of them were relieved also when there was no threat made against Ryoko or Washu. After a while of talking they turned their attention to Tenchi. He had been there beside Ryoko as the princesses' told them about what had just happened. He was surprised when his grandfather had covered for them all and also relieved him of the duty of his title. But Tenchi had changed some in the past few days and he cautioned Ryoko to not let up her guard until they were all sure that the Juraian's had left the system completely. He also let out a sigh of relief that Mihoshi had not been near; otherwise she may have blown the whole thing. That night he held Ryoko in his bed again till she went to sleep then he sat in the middle of the room to sort out his thoughts. As he thought he began to contemplate the future. He was technically free now, he was considered dead and he would never have to go to Jurai. It seamed to be an unspoken wish of his to remain here, to remain a simple shrine priest and gardener. But what about his feeling for Ayeka? He did care for her, but it did not go beyond family. With his death then she would have to return to Jurai with Sasami, or return as a bride. Even though he knew she would be a lovely bride he just could not see himself as the groom. As for Sasami, she was wonderful to have around. She could cook the best meals and for being a princess she loved to get her hands dirty. Knowing that she will look like Tsunami did not affect him at all, as he knew that she had a bigger destiny than he thought he had. Opening his eyes he looked at Ryoko. Allowing a smile on his face he contemplated her and her past. Ryoko the Demon Caller, or Ryoko the Space Pirate. Either way he knew that neither was by her choosing. Never in her past had she been given a chance to choose what she wanted to be. She had never been given the chance just to live. And yet the first thing she did by her choosing was to play with him as a child. He had heard her talk about it the other day. She did not have to do that for me, but she chose to be there. When he was a child it was her that made him feel safe by the cave. It had been her that played with him, and it was her again that tried to comfort him after his grandma had died. And now, now she was still with him and he knew that is all she wanted. If his peaceful life here free of Jurai was to be complete he knew that she would make it that way.